Ugandan Innovator Stephen Rwagweri and African Continental Crafts Spotlight Artisanal Sector at Global SOCAP Conference

Ugandan innovator Stephen Rwagweri, founder of African Continental Crafts, alongside speakers Lubna Dajani and Audrey Selian, will share their experiences and research findings, illustrating how traditional artisan inclusion innovations can transform the lives of marginalized communities globally. The speakers represent diverse regions, with insights from Africa, India, and the Arab world, ensuring a comprehensive view of the sector’s impact.

A groundbreaking workshop at the upcoming SOCAP conference in San Francisco aims to spotlight the artisanal sector as a powerful engine for driving social and economic inclusion. This session, titled “Artisanal Sector in Impact Investing: A Massive Blindspot and Unexplored Potential,” seeks to uncover the hidden potentials within this often-overlooked industry, connecting local Ugandan interests to a global stage.

Originally proposed as a panel discussion, the session has been transformed into an interactive workshop to facilitate deeper engagement. This change was made following feedback from council members, who emphasized the importance of practical storytelling and collaborative discussions among stakeholders.

Artisanship is highlighted as a universally accessible sector, offering livelihood opportunities to diverse groups, including the illiterate, disabled, chronically ill, and elderly. The sector also extends productivity to resource-deprived individuals such as refugees, the displaced, and the stateless. Despite its potential, it remains marginalized in impact investment discussions.

A key focus of the workshop will be exploring how much capital could be mobilized within the artisanal sector and identifying vehicles to create sustainable capital flows. Participants will discuss practical steps to support and invest in this transformative industry.

The workshop’s emphasis on the artisanal sector aims to unlock new avenues for impact investment, fostering innovation and inclusion across marginalized communities worldwide. By bringing attention to this sector, SOCAP hopes to drive meaningful change and support a more inclusive global economy.

For more information and updates, visit SOCAP’s official website.